Zermatt is the best mediocre ski resort in the world

An in-depth video review of Zermatt/Cervinia/Valtournenche, a destination ski area located in the Alps of Switzerland and Italy. Filmed in January and February 2024.
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0:00 Intro
0:54 Mountain Aesthetic and Matterhorn Views
1:40 Ski Region Breakdown (Switzerland + Italy)
2:41 Size
3:23 Vertical Drop
3:53 Lifts
4:43 On-Mountain Trains
6:16 Summit Ice Cave
6:40 Snow Quality and Resiliency
7:49 Summer Skiing
8:30 Advanced, Expert, and Freeride Terrain
9:01 Off-Piste Terrain
10:15 Beginner Terrain
10:58 Intermediate Terrain
11:29 Ease of Navigation
13:56 Getting Stuck in Wrong Country
15:23 Lift Lines and Trail Congestion
16:28 On-Mountain Facilities and Restaurants
17:26 Aprés-ski
18:19 Town and Lodging
18:58 In-Town Dining and Nightlife
19:56 Getting There and Transportation
20:39 Verdict
21:17 Pricing
21:43 Score Breakdown and Rank
Overall Zermatt/Cervinia Mountain Score: 70/100
Overall Zermatt Only Mountain Score: 70/100
Overall Cervinia Only Mountain Score: 60/100
---
Snow: 6/10
Resiliency: 6/10 overall + for Zermatt side, 5/10 for Cervinia side
Size: 10/10 overall + for Zermatt side, 9/10 for Cervinia side
Terrain Diversity: 6/10, 5/10 for individual Zermatt and Cervinia sides
Challenge: 4/10 overall + for Zermatt side, 3/10 for Cervinia side
Lifts: 9/10 overall, 10/10 for Zermatt side, 6/10 for Cervinia side
Crowd Flow: 7/10 overall + for Zermatt side, 8/10 for Cervinia side
Facilities: 10/10 overall + for Zermatt side, 8/10 for Cervinia side
Navigation: 2/10
Mountain Aesthetic: 10/10 overall + for Zermatt side, 9/10 for Cervinia side
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[@jez443]

The best part of zermatt is the view of the ever present matterhorn and the mid mountain restaurants and cottages. Never seen anything like it in the US. It's cool to just be skiing and all of a sudden a little cottage that happens to be a restaurant pops up and you can get fondue and drinks.

[@kimjunguny]

common at every alps ski resort

[@LucijaC]

US ski resorts have no soul, it feels like I am eating in a school canteen.

[@amblincork]

Most European ski areas are pretty scenically attractive - was not sure why the reviewet was making such a big deal about the Matterhorn...good to great mountain ski restaurant and cafes are standard in Europe

[@eddiemalvin]

Chez Vrony and Adler Hitta are our favorites.

[@kalle7741]

@@eddiemalvin I´d say Enzian, Findlerhof, Zum See are much friendlier than Adlerhitta.

[@BoschVoyage]

This video really shows your ability to critically and comprehensively review a mountain. Really helpful info as always!!

[@cheesesandwich1033]

You might have to start a separate ranking for European ski destinations. The concept of bowls doesn’t exist like it does in the US. There are some so called ski-routes, which are minimally maintained slopes. Otherwise,once you leave the groomers, you are off piste and completely on your own. You can totally hike mountains all around Zermatt using the ski infrastructure as an access point. Just be careful, you easily end up on a glacier, above a cliff or in dangerous terrain. There are so called ski tour maps and routes but you better get a guide and know your back country basics!

[@BlckJack123]

A great way to save money is to stay in Tasch, Switzerland. It is a 15 minute train ride away from Zermatt. It is the next closest town and rooms are 1/2 to 1/3 they are in Zermatt.

[@snowbunker]

Thanks

[@perakojot6524]

It's 15 mins by train, 15 mins from train station to the first lift, plus the walking in Tasch. While this might sound like a good option, loosing 40 mins each day to reach the first lift is really not fun.

[@kalle7741]

@@perakojot6524 Not quite, the first lift, a train, Gornergratbahn, is across the station in Zermatt and it will take you to 3100 meters in 30 minutes. The fastest and best way to get up the mountain. From there you can ski to the other areas.

[@kalle7741]

@@perakojot6524 The Gornergratbahn is just across thes street from the railway station in Zermatt and it will take you to 3100 meters in 30 minutes, faster than the lifts. But, of course, staying in Täsch will take out the magic of being in Zermatt.

[@kalle7741]

If you are on budget, Cervinia is a better option.

[@nickreitmaier5648]

Independently owned on-mountain huts is the biggest reason for me that Europe slaps NA for skiing. Culture through the roof.

[@grogsand4102]

Snow is the main issue in europe atp

[@shanmaomao4156]

​@@grogsand4102Yes, fortunately the other stuff (kinda) makes up for it

[@JohnDoe-my5ip]

All I need is a lift, a parking spot, a brown bag lunch, and some good terrain with snow on it. That bougie crap is a distraction.

[@Gary-np7hl]

@@JohnDoe-my5ip yeah, zermatt sounds more like south beach on snow.

[@sntslilhlpr6601]

Are you there to ski or to party?

[@lawyh1506]

As a European skier I see no problem with Zermatt's navigation and signage. There are basically only a few runs down from any ski lift, and you just have to stick to piste numbers that you have studied when riding the lifts, for example, pistes 11, 7, 1 and 3 from Rothorn to town or piste 7 all the way from Testa Grigia to Cervinia. There are number signs at each junction. And imo numbers are much easier to recognise than convoluted names, and I also found it easier to get into the wrong runs in Vail than in Zermatt.

[@kalle7741]

The signs in Zermatt are miserable but slowly improving. For years many skiers from Cervinia had to stay overnight in Zermatt because of bad signs.

[@TheCodik]

I agree - I suspect the authors are not used to the “logic” of European signage and more familiar with the “logic” in the US. There is room for improvement, but a 2 is far too harsh

[@eddiemalvin]

We've skied Zermatt twice and are headed back next year. Perhaps my age is showing but I find it way better than Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat and, yes, even Whistler (all of which we absolutely loved). I guess I never realized how much I favor long cruisers, massive terrain, zero lift lines, world-class mid-mountain dining and great apres ski. Having said that, thanks for the thorough and fair review!

[@rainmaker3700]

You are not old, Zermatt way better then all the resorts you mentioned. I live in Tahoe and would go to Zermatt before even thinking about going to Vail or Whistler.

[@WaechterDerNacht]

As a Swiss, i highly appreciate that you've mentioned that every off-piste area (not counting the yellow marked "slopes" with 15m on either side of the poles) is NOT controlled! I've seen many people (not just north america tourists) ride through stuff they definitely shouldn't on their own without avy-gear...

[@amblincork]

As am Irish person who occayskirz in Austria I would not expect off piste areas to be controlled at all + not sure why anyone would expect to be controlled. Go off piste and it is your tiskt

[@WaechterDerNacht]

@@amblincork in nirth america, they basically controla the whole larger area of a skiidng area. Alot of those named freeride runs, which you can see alot of videos from, are considered "in bounds" in north america. So if someone thinks it works the same over here you get people that put themselves (and others) in unnecessary danger.

[@dodoschwab6506]

Yellow pistes are secured before opening, but no daily controls.

[@amblincork]

@@WaechterDerNacht I dont really see how it is practical to control very big off piste areas

[@drob841]

If you start adding European ski resorts, you are going to need to re-calibrate "size" on the American side.

[@PeakRankings]

😂 we shall see

[@cmacblue42]

This is for sure. But adjusted for patrolled/off piste acres. North am patrol puts in significant work to open challenging terrain and that acreage should count. Probably also recalibrate crowd flow & lifts…. Nothing in North America except Targhee, Ajax, & Revy should be like above a 5 lol

[@hoffmann6520]

And need to recalibrate mountain aesthetic too. No way you can rank Whistler on a par with Zermatt.

[@drob841]

@@hoffmann6520 YES! The Alps destroy the Rockies in mountain aesthetic, no doubt!

[@Robbedem]

@@cmacblue42 Not sure about the rules, but I always thought that going off pise was actually forbidden in Europe. Although many do it to the sides of groomed pistes or near ski lifts were it's clear to plan the route in advance.

[@andygags1446]

Zermatt is a fantastic resort but the real problem for an advanced skier is that the resort is so huge it is virtually impossible to know where to ski without a mountain guide which is quite expensive. Different parts of the resort have different weather conditions which affects the snow conditions which vary with snowfall. If you are looking to ski black diamonds or off piste powder you can't just arrive, pick an area to ski and expect to have good skiing. In addition skiing off piste is extremely dangerous, far more so than anywhere in the US without a mountain guide. I have over 500 days of skiing in Zermatt, all with the person generally considered the areas best mountain guide and still have had many close calls. Despite knowing the area very well, I would never ski off piste without a mountain guide. But with a guide the skiing in Zermatt can be out of this world.

[@davisbyer4791]

Yes the après and tourism scene looks awesome. But hard to justify flying to Europe from Western Canada to ski cat tracks with nice views

[@franzroth2830]

i remember looking out over the glaciers from the gornergrat once in summer, thinking "wow, beautiful view", until i spotted a couple hikers on a trail below that didn't look too far away at first glance. those hikers looked so incredibly tiny that it really reset the perspective on just how majestic and massive these mountains are. there are bigger mountains and crazier views in the world, but they usually require mountaineering to get to and certainly aren't accessible by train. that gornergrat view imo tops anything in the alps short of maybe the jungfrau region

[@dFrame06]

You can get as (will use American terms) rad / sick as can be got here. Including mild altitude actual sickness just from riding up a cabke car. But you need to be able to ski all conditions, you probably need a guide and if you have the skills and knowledge of the mountaineering side of things and glacier travel those lifts get you a good way into serious terrain. You wont need 112 underfoot for 6 turns next to a piste. But in terms of the pistes the review has a point but would suggest the mediocre in the title has a good element of click bait to it. Worth a wander around town to see the mountaineers cemetery and the old huts that hold livestock. Great in summer for hiking and when you see the glaciers then you understand the warnings about leaving the piste. The glacier pistes have large diggers filling in the crevaces. Pretty nice to ski in the summer. When in the States I was all for a sandwich in the pocket, but a few years and having experienced food in the Alps leave at least a couple of days for a sit down lunch... or perhaps pocket bacon on the lift and call in for desert.

[@Yooouser584]

I can't wait to see you guys review more of Europe. I've been deciding where in the apps I want to go next season. I especially can't wait to see you review Courchevel and Verbier.

[@PeakRankings]

Both are coming!

[@Shumitu]

@@PeakRankings Verbier, 3 vallees in France, Ischgl and Solden in Austria, we have some really good ski resorts here :D

[@amblincork]

@@Shumitu If you liked Is Ischgl you would like St Anton am Arlberg as well - I only spent 3 days in Ischgl but will definitely return

[@Shumitu]

@@amblincork added to the list!

[@mrhyde6684]

Please review tignes and Val d’isere, always lots of snow and incredible off and on piste terrain

[@KZ-yu4jz]

Thanks for taking the time to put this great video together. I hope to make it out there as a bucket list vacation and can use this video to help with planning.

[@roadracer517]

I went for 9 days last year. Skied my legs off. I loved everything but the electric taxis that have no regard for people's safety. Navigation was easy for me. I always knew exactly where I was just by looking at the Matterhorn. BTW I had the absolute best sandwich of my life on Cervinia. The bread was outstanding. Next winter I am thinking about a month in a apartment. I love it so much. The downside it would be my second trip there and there are other mega resorts I haven't been too.The other downside is a season pass is high cost and that hurts.

[@IStMl]

come to Verbier

[@amblincork]

@@IStMl I was told french skiers are very soggy! Is that so ?

[@IStMl]

@@amblincork i wouldn't know, there aren't that many French in Verbier. Mostly locals and Brits The Brits are either insanely good or insanely sh*t, there's few inbetween

[@roadracer517]

@@IStMl I might. I booked Zermatt for a month next year and been thinking Verbier

[@IStMl]

@@amblincork i wouldnt know, there aren't many French in Verbier

[@JaredG_WV]

took my last turns of the season today, glad to have one of your vids to send the season off right!

[@JefeBoss]

I spent two weeks snowboarding in Zermatt in 2008 and loved it, but would agree with most of this video. Actually, my guide (from the region), was telling me that I should check out Laax and even Saas Fee, which I did this year (Saas Fee). Anyhow, if you are an avid snow sports fan, Zermatt is a pilgrimage you have to do once in your life, but there are plenty of "better" resorts for actual ski/snowboard in the Alps.

[@amblincork]

It is a bit like the UTMB ultras races - famous around the trail running world but there are eqaully good and far cheaper trails races in Europe -

[@HershelPeppers]

This channel is so good. A consumer report for ski resorts. Keep up the good work!

[@RunningOtaku]

Great review! Can’t wait to see what other int’l resorts you will cover. 🎉

[@johnsonderegger8627]

I skied 10 days at Zermatt and never skied a groomer except to get to the bottom at the end of the day a few times. Every run, every day was un- tracked powder. The village is quite fun with interesting places to eat and you stay in 19th century dovetail lodges. It is fantastic!

[@altimking]

Man, these Videos are so well researched. It must take a lot of work. Great job and please keep them coming!

[@neiljones8010]

An excellent review and delighted to see that you are now starting to review European resorts as well. Looking forward to watching these!

[@boy1u235]

Always a W when PeakRankings releases a new video!

[@AndrewWells]

Great job as always! Setting the standard for consumer guides...

[@grantmason9844]

Great video! Love all the footage. I'd probably love Zermatt on a clear day, but on a cloudy day the lack of trees would drive me nuts! Glad you hit it on a beautiful day.

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks Grant!

[@amblincork]

You usually will find trees lower down

[@mohammedmodan7083]

@@amblincork coverage and snow quality in trees looks quite poor however

[@amblincork]

@@mohammedmodan7083To put this in perspective, some of the US ski areas have had for them very bad seasons. Reality is weather patterns have changed and we must recognise this

[@7A7Z1]

I’ve seen many reviews of Zermatt & this is by far the most useful. That said, I believe that Zermatt’s total score reveals the deep flaws of this unweighted ranking criterion. Zermatt is for a typical ski-goer a world class experience. Only underwhelming to those exclusively seeking the “gnarliest” terrain.

[@Robbedem]

yeah, the challenge rating doesn't tell enough. Maybe he should make a seperate rating for beginners, intermediats and experts. f.e., I wouldn't care much about expert runs. I do them sometimes, but I prefer red and blue pistes. Similarly someone new to skiing would likely want good beginner pistes and not care as much about the rest.

[@drigans2065]

Thanks for the review, nice to see the clips. Been to Zermatt 5 or 6 times as a skier and boarder and it's in my top 3 ski areas along with Val D'Isere/Tignes and Courchevel/Val Thorens (3 valleys). Zermatt is a must visit place for the Matterhorn alone. The 'village' seems more like a town to me, with the electric taxis buzzing around it's a bit charmless apart from the amazing views up the valley. There is plenty of off-piste which can be as challenging as you like (at your risk) so a ton of terrain to do aside from the pistes which you don't explain. If you are an advanced off pister the terrain is ten times what you said easily. There is a lot of off piste in Cervinia too. Yes, the mountain restaurants are the best I've been to. I don't recall navigation issues. I think you are not used to large European resorts where it is necessary to study the piste map and not just rely on signs. The snow was late this season so you definitely didn't see it as at least I remember it.

[@kalle7741]

This is the best and most correct description of Zermatt I have ever seen. Do not go to Zermatt before Christmas, they keep many lifts closed when there are less people in town, but charge you full price. They also take every opportunity to close lifts at the slightest "weather" pretext. Especially, they will charge you full price for a day skipass when 90% of the lifts are closed. They have closed the best off piste area, Triftji, and send you to Hohtäli, which is full of rocks... The lift company management is spoiling the place. If you have lots of money, the title is perfect.

[@SingaporeSkaterSam]

True

[@JakobSvensson55]

When were you there?

[@kalle7741]

@@JakobSvensson55 Every winter for the last 30 years, on average 4-5 weeks. Last time March 23. I still go to Zermatt, because I have friends there, but NOW I recommend people to go to Cervinia. Of course, if you can afford a guide, do tours and heliskiing, it is still great. But how many people can afford it?

[@eddiemalvin]

Thanks! We have been visiting Zermatt from mid to late January and have always enjoyed good weather, great conditions, better pricing and no crowds. We've considered visiting a little earlier or later in the ski season but, based on your comments, it's sounds like that would be a terrible idea.

[@JakobSvensson55]

Would the second week of january be a bad pick then? I was there at the end of march (when everything was closed every day), but that was just bad luck I guess.

[@judewang2928]

i actually just went to zermatt last weekend, so good to see so many spots that i visited here. Great video!

[@cmacblue42]

You’re gunna get so much heat for this video 😂 bravo

[@jaredsauber6430]

Thanks for doing Zermatt! I agree with your review, but it’s still my favorite cause I don’t need the extreme terrain, and we had good snow!

[@FlipsTheTrips]

This is very helpful - I will be using this guide when planning my trip to Europe. Thanks so much for making this information available!

[@beginner1991]

The most important thing to be prepared is as was said slopes run out quickly and can be very icy, like world-cup piste icy due to artificial snow and climate change (thaw-freeze cycling). Race carver >>> freeride skis.

[@badsawww]

this is a legit review of going to Zermatt. I went last year and couldn't agree more. If you are American and are use to hard charging all day and getting into really spicy situations you will be disappointed. The goods exist but you have to pay a lot of money to have someone take you there. We got lucky and found powder up on the glacier but there's not enough snow to really ski any of their lower mountain free skiing zones. We tried and it was beyond terrifying lol. That being said it was still a fun trip in a travel sense and you will be eating better quality food and drinks than anywhere in america which will make you just feel better over all. If it snowed like it does in Utah there id never ski anywhere else.

[@mkronos02]

I can not understate how much snow quantity and quality have dropped over the past 10 years in the alps. Every year the season gets bleaker and bleaker, the pistes are usually well maintained, but sometimes you feel like you're skiing in the summer because only the pistes have artificial snow and the rest of the terrain is green/grayish. Even when it starts snowing more in early jan, after a week everything is extremely icy. In a few more decades, there won't be many glaciers left in europe and even during the winter, most pistes will only be skiable after heavy use of artificial snow.

[@bigslydoc]

I did wonder this. I learned to ski in Zermatt and Saas Fee in the mid 1990s and last visited on a trip to Chamonix, Courmeyeur and Zermatt in 2014. The snow in this video and the one on the Vallee Blanche looks awful compared to the standard conditions in the 1990s and 2000s. Even Jan/Feb 2014, we had powder conditions everywhere in Zermatt, Cham and even Courmeyeur. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such little snow in Zermatt.

[@mkronos02]

@@bigslydoc i was in st moritz this year in feb, the roadsides were green. I remember years where there were 8+ feet of snow at the roadside

[@bigslydoc]

@@mkronos02that’s shocking. Was the lake even frozen?? I remember as a kid going skiing in Zermatt at half term in February, there would usually be snow all the way down to Visp and Brig if not Geneva.

[@mkronos02]

@@bigslydoc yeah the nights were cold enough. At noon it was usually 45F on at the sea so it was pretty mushy by the end of the day. I know a week after I left, there was enough snowfall to get the Ice St mortiz cancelled though, so maybe they had a good end of the season

[@amblincork]

The last 3 years have generally been great in the Alps

[@jeffcarrier7435]

I saw an Air Zermatt rescue while sipping a beer at Trockener Steg. That was pretty cool. The town is what every ski town in the US tries to look like. There’s too much uphill skiing for my taste. Gotta go once.

[@far9018]

Awesome video! American here and just went to Lech / St Anton. Loads of snow and off piste open. You need to check it out. Has the majesty and solid snow accumulation.

[@amblincork]

I have skied St Anton a few times and loved it - Ischgl was great also

[@chrisdaley5175]

I found the Monte Rosa Douforspitze Dom, Dent Blanche, Grand Combin and distant Mont Blanc just as spectacular! Yes the Matterhorn haunts, dominates the setting.

[@NevContractor1]

Excellent info. Thankyou.

[@christopher6740]

Hell yah, keep the European content coming please!

[@charleslynch340]

Heading there for Christmas skiing. I'm Australian, we dont get snow or mountains or ski resorts, or ski lifts or skis or ski passes. This is gonna be craazy.

[@artk6050]

Thank you for a very informative and honest review. Please do more reviews for European ski resorts, and if possible for Japan too. Japan has so many smaller resorts and I think your honest review might help them.

[@Phuong.Nguyen-]

Good footage 😊

[@robertplant2059]

Was there 3/29 to 4/5/24, loved it. Been to Val Thorens, Val D'isere, and St Anton and enjoyed Zermatt the most.

[@gigglewumpus]

great video! i went in summer for biking, and it was beautiful but i want to go skiing sometime there

[@RaresMN]

Very comprehensive review! While I rarely skied on the Swiss side, I've spent many a days in Cervinia and I always loved it! Very budget friendly too. Just a small addition. Turin would ne the closest airport and it's a major airport too, with Ryanair, especially, operating many routes. Thanks again for the review!

[@stevenotch7324]

If these european review will become the norm you should at one point review Via Lattea. Its relatively close to Zermatt and its made of 5 different resorts all connected together via trails. The slopes may not be the best or the most interesting, and some lifts are somewhat outdated, but its a really fun place. (And its really cheap when you take into account how big it is)

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Vandykefield]

Best Zermatt Cervinia review I have seen - detailed, objective and really well thought through - really, really helpful. Maybe add that Milan Malpensa (not Milan Linate) is the airport of choice and whilst Turin is closer than Milan there are less flights and due to altitude flights have been known to be redirected. Also, there is a lot of talk of more on the Italian side of a link with the Monterosa ski area (Champoluc etc) which will create one of the largest linked areas there are - and add a greater variety due to the Monterosa characteristics. Many thanks and will look forward to other European reviews.

[@pjkaup]

Spot on and fantastic review. I had the good fortune of being able to stay at the Gornergrat Kulm Hotel at the top of the cog train during the holidays. Just an astonishing set of views, phenomenal infrastructure and food that puts North America’s to shame. Thanks for putting this out there and can’t wait to see the rest of your European reviews coming soon!

[@pop_tarted57]

DUDE‼️ I cannot stress to you how much I love your vids‼️‼️‼️

[@falafelraffel8140]

The points you criticized apply to many European ski resorts. Off-piste “runs” aren’t even closely as popular as in the United States. Therefore, there are less slopes per lift, what ultimately leads to more congested slopes. It can be little tough to navigate those more crowded slopes, but usually people are aware of others and you can pass without much distance as long as you’re not too fast. Furthermore, it is common here for Ski resorts to be quite big and involving numerous villages far apart in the valley, for example Skiwelt, Kitzbühel, Skicirkus, 3/4 Vallees or Sella.

[@amblincork]

I would think the reason off piste runs are not as popular in Europe is that a big proportion of skiers in Europe are at best pnce a year skiers and a lot would be not be expereinced off piste at all..and a lot of skiers go as much for the apre ski as for the skiing ! And of course Europe has a very bog selection of ski areas.

[@domlonetti4184]

If youre a park skier, its heaven tbh. skied the summer park on the plateau rosa in september and it was dope.

[@strobliss]

aha Just went there in January, pretty much my exact thoughts. Gonna hit arlberg next year and if it's a flop too i'm out on Skiing in europe. Too much variability with snow.

[@garethonthetube]

Snow seems to be arriving late in Europe over the last few years. Often a big dump early December then nothing much for 6 weeks. It's getting warmer, too sadly.

[@garethonthetube]

That's a pretty fair assessment of Zermatt. The Trifji mogul run is worth a mention. Off-piste fans should definitely look elsewhere, but you won't get the same level of scenery.

[@user-rt6ip4kb1i]

If you get stuck on the wrong side, it is suggested to pay 600-700 euro per helicopter ride.

[@nicov3r]

beautiful and interesting video even though I live near Cervinia and know it fairly well, I really look forward to seeing reviews of other European ski resorts.

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you, looking forward to sharing!

[@shanmaomao4156]

Honestly the biggest issue is the unpredictable weather conditions. We went there in great weather, so obviously it was a nice experience, but bad weather either leads to low visibility or even large closures due to wind.

[@MrHariSheldon]

Two things: Precipitation is lower in the Alps, because the next ocean is thousands of kms away and not literally "next door" as in the Rockies and there's also less humidity transported. I am not sure if it is fair to compare Europe and North America in this regard. And the second thing is about the off-piste experience: It's not that good because you're not supposed to go off-piste in a ski resort and nobody cares therefore about these parts of the resort. If you go off-piste, you should either use the yellow "slopes" or do it as part of a ski tour and know what you're doing. Zermatt offers some great descents by ski, only reachable when you use touring skis and have two, three days for spare, e.g. Schwarztor, Theodul Glacier, Stockij/Zmutt Glaciers or, the longest and toughest, from the Signalkuppe. They're all on glaciers, though, so you should never go without being very experienced or a mountain guide. A note about all the lifts: I am a bit surprised that it is worth mentioning how modern they are, as this is normal in Europe and nobody bats an eye about it here. Are the lifts in North America really that old?

[@amblincork]

😊Not supposed to go off piste? Seriously? Some alpine areas are marketed as having great off piste areas....and routes will be suggested

[@MrHariSheldon]

@@amblincorkSome are and that's the ones with the yellow poles, usually. Everywhere else is at your own risk. You can go where you want, but it will be costly if they have to rescue you. Verbier is better for freeriders, even better are Arolla and La Grave. Or you hire a mountain guide, use ski touring equipment and go far away from any ski resort.

[@richardmorris1437]

Somebody just died falling in a crevasse off piste in Saas Fee. With glaciers, you have to be extremely careful. A kid also died in an avalanche in Zermatt off piste after a huge snow dump. Know your conditions and be safe!

[@TheAnonymonymous]

I urge you to look at a map brother

[@jasoncapecod]

i have skied there in the summer and winter...both a blast...but it's mostly on piste skiing in the winter...zermatt need a ton of snow to get really going...

[@tjdad13]

I like snow, Europe looks awesome if you’re looking for wildly epic views and awesome amenities , but i want steeps and big dumps of snow . Great video though and its still on the list to visit

[@franzroth2830]

go to verbier, st. anton, andermatt. plenty of steep powder skiing in the alps

[@kevinl8440]

This video is soooo accurate. I couldn't have said it better myself. After skiing Zermatt last year I had the same conclusion. Every skier should visit Zermatt... but not for the skiing. Skiing is mediocre at best, and for experts bad, but the place is still magic.

[@amblincork]

If the skiing is mediocre then why ski there ?

[@kevinl8440]

@@amblincork Seriously?? Did you not even watch the video?

[@shanmaomao4156]

Agreed. Although as a person who simply likes long slopes this place was nice enough.

[@amblincork]

@@kevinl8440 I watched about half of it and found some of the crisps puzzling. Example the criticism of the piste signs made no sense to me . I haven't skied in Zermatt but am familiar with a number of ski resorts in adjacent Austria which had similar signage and the signage is good in Austria.. The complsi t about the la k of easy routes for novice skiers also did not make sense, moderate reds are suitable for every skier bar those learners in the first few days of learning to ski. If you are an expert skier, fine but videos like this are for general skiers. I am not an expert skier but would call myself good.If the cost of Switzerland were not a factor, then based on this video I would visit Zermatt. As for the occasional patch of bare ice, my attitude would be so what - I have skied quite a few times on tbe Hintertux glacier in Austria in very easy and late season and grew accustomed to a steep slope with a lot of the glacier ice exposed.One of the advantages of skiing in Europe is a reasonably wide variety of ski areas with varying terrain and conditions are available even without the use of a car for transport.

[@amblincork]

@@shanmaomao4156 So name a few areas you consider great

[@SRM335]

This is an outstanding review - well done! It perfectly covers the pros and cons of Zermatt. This is not the most challenging ski mountain and the snow coverage is not great. However, it's probably the most beautiful and memorable I've been to. The overall scale, size and views is mind-blowing. The Swiss lift system is unparalleled. The town and apres is phenomenal. Cant wait to go back.

[@dodoschwab6506]

Navigation 2. Like everywhere, look at the ski map and time table first and you won't miss anything!! And the crowd is almost inexistant on the Swiss side, expect between Christmas and New Year (e.g. wait for 1, max 2 Big cablecar Gant Hottäli), The rest of the season you can grab the same gondola again at the bottom, after 1,000 meters of altitude gain on the White Hare, and immediately ride back up.

[@kalle7741]

The title "...best mediocre.." fitted very well.

[@joeroche552]

Go to Saas fee, I’ve done a decades worth of seasons there. The slack country is incredible

[@OnlyCORE]

Would love to hear your opinion on Livingo. Hope you'll manage to look there someday

[@alecgoff2359]

European ski culture is so much better than the US. Love a good apre, and ski patrol not being pass pullers is nice. I did Bad Gastein recently and loved it, would recommend it to anyone.

[@coast3ryd3r]

Two things: 1) It's Valtournenche, and 2) if you're on the Ikon pass you don't need an entirely separate ticket for the Italian areas, you can purchase a "supplement" ticket for a lower price. Great review!

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks- appreciate those clarifications!

[@kalle7741]

You did not tell us the price for the "supplement"...😆

[@scollyutube]

We were there a week before you filmed this. Great resort, just hindered by wind and subsequently restricted up high, which limits the decent runs. So mediocre might be harsh but agree is pretty limited skiing without all the upper lifts going.There is really only 3 ways to access the mountain too counting the train, all going in different directions. I disagree it is difficult to navigate though. It isn't complicated really as there aren't that many options. I recognised where every shot you showed was and we only skied 7 days. Went to 3 Valleys the week after, at VT, and got to say, the terrain, snow quality, overall lift layout and run variety etc was way better there.

[@lawyh1506]

Agree with your point on navigation and I too recognise where every on piste shots are made.

[@brankomaksimovicmax]

I went few weeks ago (i have some vids on my channel), and I agree with most that was said. There were many US skiers there I talked to.

[@bigslydoc]

Big fan of this channel and this is the resort that I’ve skied at most in my life, although now living in Australia I haven’t skied her since 2013. Think you encapsulate it close to perfectly. I think the condition you got when you were there were poor compared to what I was used to but maybe that due to the change in climate since 2013. I think the major difference between North America and Europe is the lift to run/trail/piste ratio. In NA, it favours a tendency for long lift lines but quieter trails whereas in Europe, with lots of lifts and fewer pistes, there are much few lift lines but often more crowded pistes even in an absolutely massive resort like Zermatt-Cervinia.

[@JohnDoe-my5ip]

If you’re an American who prefers dangerously overloading downhill capacity to a lift line, buy an epic pass for next season today! Vail, the Walmart of skiing.

[@garethonthetube]

If you decide to stay in Cervinia, you won't really be able to get to do much of Zermatt's skiing in one day. If you stay in Zermatt you can do most of Cervinia in a day (and still have time for a nice pasta lunch)

[@tomkochuta4916]

Well done, we are seriously thinking of going in 2025 & that tells us everything!!

[@counterfit5]

There's a resort in Austria that had an underground funicular. It caught on fire in 2000 and killed 155 people. 12 people escaped the train that caught fire by descending the tunnel, but the others on the train were either trapped, or ascended after getting out. The conductor and only passenger of the other train were asphyxiated by the smoke, as were 4 people in the top station, though one was revived by fire crews. Morbid Midnight has a video on this fire.

[@NicolaBagnara-fm4gl]

fantastic video, are you going to review other european resorts?

[@PeakRankings]

Yes, thank you!

[@andrik959]

Looking forward to see most of the austrian ski resorts on the top of that list

[@beginner1991]

Icy slopes and slopes being "run out quickly" is a general thing for Europe. It snows much less and with climate change often rains to pretty high altitude. rain + artificial snow = ice track. This is great if you own a race carver ski and like skiing that way (I do) but if you prefer power and off-piste,not so great. And if it's not hard and icy it pays off even more to get up early and be on the first gondola. 8-10 is the best time to get your runs in, then people start coming in at it gets crowded. "in general" the Alps are not the best location for power / off-piste. In your average winter there are usually only 1-2 big drops of snow and avalanches are still always a risk. And yes, if it's cloud and fog comes in, visibility will be near zero. You can simply forget skiing then as it's not fun at all.

[@SAS-by4bt]

I love your channel and have been a subscriber here and on another account. I believe you should have another category for convenience. For example, there are no ski-in, ski-out accommodations in Zermatt (except for one on the Gornergrat side). It takes you a minimum of 20 - 45 mins to get to the slopes if you're lucky. You know what I mean. Let me use Vail as a comparison, you can ski in town if you're lodge is down there. Walk a minute to the lifts and you're off. Zermatt having the most beautiful scenery falls short due to this and is just a pain to get to the slopes! I agree with your ranking and I enjoy it a lot. Thank you once again, and please consider adding the convenience rating. One thing you forgot to mention, Zermatt has an okay terrain park at best!

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks for the comment and suggestion! We didn’t find the walk to the lifts to be too bad, although it certainly depends on where you’re staying.

[@SAS-by4bt]

@@PeakRankings Thank you for the response. Correct, however I meant if you miss the train to Gornergrat by a minute you'll have to wait 24 mins for the next one. That ride lasts around 20 mins to the top. So 44 mins of delay to get to the slopes. The Matterhorn gondola is like 40 mins to the top station and then another 10 mins to the glacier area. 50 mins to the slopes or 40 mins top station of that gondola. You mentioned wind factor and I've been to Zermatt 3 times this past 12 months and wind is always closing down the glacier area. Like 70% of the time. You were really lucky on that trip! Keep those videos coming!!! THANK YOU!!

[@scollyutube]

​@SAS-by4bt thats all correct but the vernacular is the best option. Goes regulary and is fast. From there can access where the train goes and get over to GMP too by skiing, which is the whole point right. We started there at 9 doing a few runs until they told us Cervinia was open at 10, and then still made it over to Italy by 11.30.

[@paulcostello6329]

Interested to hear this , pedestrianisation is probably the cause of it and sounds like the experience we uad in Chamonix having to rely on public transport to get anywhere was a pain .

[@SAS-by4bt]

@@scollyutube That's great! Thanks to @peakrankings for making this video and many videos to come! I only commented on Zermatt because I feel I'm an expert here. I've ridden just this year in Zermatt (twice) Vail, Beaver Creek, Mammoth, Whistler, Sun Peaks, Big White, Park City, 5 resorts in Austria and going to the 3 Valleys and Val d'Isere to close the season. I just don't find Zermatt convenient, that's all. HOWEVER, once on the top it's really nice! It's more convenient to stay in Cervinia, honestly!

[@BlckJack123]

Are you going to do a video about the 3 Valleys in France? I think that us the largest resort in the world.

[@PeakRankings]

Yep!

[@IStMl]

@@PeakRankings would be amazing if you did one for Verbier/4 vallées too. There was the RedBull Homerun just yesterday

[@amblincork]

Seriously if the coloured and numbered signs in Europes ski areas are a problem for any skier then maybe those skiers should stick to nursery slopes. Not sure why intermediate reds should pose a problem for any skiers other than complete beginners....

[@pentestical8265]

The lack of signage is the same across every resort in Switzerland. It’s just how it is.

[@damianysek7978]

Part about navigations and stucking in wrong country is sweet... Especialy that you do not show it on maps :) It is easy to navigate in your own living room. Just preapre before and it will be great :) Btw great video, keep skiing in Alps then you will change your view on that sport.

[@lucaslung284]

Zermatt used to be near the top of my bucket list. Not anymore!

[@StrangebeanOffitial]

i would love to see more European ski resorts like portes du soliel

[@christopheheylen7180]

Love your european content. European tip here fore your next eurotrip: Val Gardena/ Sella Ronde in Italy, Silveretta Arena (Ischgl) in Austria and Switserland and also do the Zillertal and the Skiwelt Valley’s in Austria

[@christopheheylen7180]

Tought of some more: Jungfrau Region in Switserland (stunning views) and Espace Killy in France

[@PeakRankings]

Hope to do those all! Dolomiti Superski is a top priority for next year

[@saintrroy]

There is no place for skiing like the Dolomiti Superski area. Snowfall levels can be an issue with climate change and location’s southern latitude but in terms of sheer scale, incredible on-piste runs, seriously steep on-pistes in many places like say Cortina, and galaxy of intermediate slopes knifing through the glorious Castles of the Gods is unmatched anywhere on this planet. Powder will depend on snow, but for those seeking challenges, the Dolomites couloirs and off-piste is as intimidating, physically taxing (some require ski mountaineering skills) and mentally challenging as anywhere in Europe (US cannot compare, there is nothing like this in North America, even though there are difficult serious extreme runs in-bounds at many places sure). And there are glorious not extreme but seriously difficult but well worth off-piste routes which are to be skied by those who can ski but are not serious free-riders and have to be experienced to realize their expanse and magnificence. Would say the Dolomiti area modulo snow conditions which no one controls edges out L’Espace Killy and the Arlberg … this individual’s experiential opinion.

[@soavimichele9207]

would love to see a review of Verbier

[@tetriskys18]

You said Cervinia didn't have any freeriding, there is a couple of lines in between the marked piste, with a primary danger of cliffs and rocks.

[@mcaffetech]

Could you review Lenzerheide Arosa?

[@tadhgmcmaster2520]

Go to Val d'isere!

[@philipmartin3902]

One thing this review does ignore, and maybe rightfully so since it applies to 0.1% of skiers, is the surrounding area of Zermatt has some of the most daunting touring/heli accessed terrain. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5Cqn3yDra2Mba8

[@kalle7741]

Yes, Zermatt is for the wealthy mediocre or very good skier. The guide is about 650-700 CHF.

[@philipmartin3902]

@@kalle7741 Yeah. It's best to go with a few friends, or you can join a group. Engelberg is my favorite resort I've skied in Switzerland. Liked the mountain/lift accessed terrain a lot more than Zermatt.

[@ytcgking]

You ranked Mont Tremblant? I can't find the video. Could you give me the link? Much appreciated!

[@PeakRankings]

Video isn’t up yet, but should be soon! Written review: www.peakrankings.com/content/tremblant

[@ytcgking]

@@PeakRankings thx

[@richardmorris1437]

Honestly, this video is really not fair. Clearly during their visit conditions were not the best, a week later or 2 before and the experience would be totally different. This season has been tough for below 2500 meters.

[@elijahsumner9313]

5:15 he just won Tag Across Europe (Jet Lag: The Game)

[@melode221]

The size and view should get 12 for zermatt

[@SanderGroenen]

Decent review, but a few things are completely incorrect. You gave a 7 for crowd flow, but having been there 6 times, the crowd doesn’t even come close to American resorts. So that score is completely incorrect. The other thing you mentioned which is incorrect IMO is Navigation. The resort has an app witn a state of the art map which makes navigation fairly easy. Navigation in places like Vail or Breckenridge is no better or worse. Lastly, the footage in the video looks like it was taken in late winter. The grooming in Zermatt is second to none and much better in my experience than at American resorts. I have never experienced “east coast” conditions in the 6 times I have skied there. Zermatt is an absolute winner compared to most resorts. You should adjust some of these scores.

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks for your comment Sander and appreciate the feedback. We visited Zermatt in late January and early February this year, and all our footage is from those time periods. We are going to stand by our scores for now. While the lift lines themselves are significantly less of an issue than in the US, Zermatt’s issue is the congestion on the pistes. Since our crowd flow category measures both lift lines and crowds on the slopes, we deducted points from Zermatt due to its experience with the latter. In terms of navigation, the app can be helpful when riding the lifts or before starting a run. However, in our view it’s tough to use while actively skiing or riding, making it difficult to make important game-time decisions when it comes to choosing the right trail / going in the direction of a certain lift or attraction. Hope this helps clarify things!

[@amblincork]

​@@PeakRankingsyou should have an Idea of what ski runs you are doing before your descent and the slope numbered sign in Europe are generally good..can't see why they need to be bigger !

[@lawyh1506]

@@PeakRankings Navigation in Zermatt is better than Vail and Breckenridge, all piste are clearly marked by a number while in the US you get loads a convoluted names for really short runs...

[@kalle7741]

I disagree, the grooming is miserable. I spend about 4 weeks a year in Zermatt, because I have friends there.

[@jflan_2625]

More Europe ski area reviews please

[@PeakRankings]

Coming!

[@IntelSedrino]

@@PeakRankings I'd be intrigued on your take on LAAX. Personal favourite of the Alps and the all the Swiss highly recommend it

[@jimalden3182]

Can you go to Marmot Basin, it is still open now for a review

[@PeakRankings]

Yep we went and are potentially going back again this month!

[@jimalden3182]

@@PeakRankings that’s great lovely place

[@Tom-dt9gs]

Please reconsider your pronunciation of Cervinia

[@PeakRankings]

Noted 😅

[@durjoymaitra3840]

Please review Chamonix!

[@PetarJovanovic-dr3wn]

Closest airport to cervinia is Torino, 1h

[@bigslydoc]

Yeah those are prob fair comments. I do think there are some fundamental differences between North American and European skiing though and this video is definitely made from an Americans view of skiing in Europe. Somethings that European skiers are used to like pretty average snow cover but absolutely massive ski resorts would surprise North Americans used to regular massive powder dumps but destination resorts with only 8 or 10 lifts. Zermatt alone isn’t that huge a European resort but it’s acreage is over 9000 acres which is bigger than any resort in North America even Whistler, Park City and Big Sky but only gets 400cm of snow a season. Snowbird averages more than that number in inches! Skiing in Europe is much more about the whole experience, the dining, the nightlife the accommodation and is definitely much better value for money on average whereas skiing in North America might not be devoid of those things but I’d say is much more about the skiing first and those things second.